Report: The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to target a reliable third-option this off-season.
After winning the championship in the 2019-20 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers fell short and lost to the exciting Phoenix Suns in six games.
This series was lacklustre from the very beginning. The Lakers this season were crippled as they lost LeBron James to a devastating ankle injury and Anthony Davis to a calf/ Achilles injury. With both stars missing more than half of the regular season, it’s understandable why this team was unable to get past the first round.
Regardless, it is disappointing to see LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers get eliminated in this particular fashion. Game six was never competitive and instead was a blow-out from a young and inexperienced Phoenix Suns roster. The Lakers would occasionally go on a small run, but they were no match against Devin Booker.
The main problem with the Lakers this season was not Davis and James missing more than half of the regular season. The primary issue about this team that was broadcasted in the first round was the lack of help from the surrounding cast. From Dennis Schroder to Andre Drummond, no role player on this team stepped up when needed most. When Davis was sidelined due to a groin injury, no one stepped up to help LeBron and instead disappeared. Schroder, who was expected to be the “reliable third-option,” went 0-9 during game five.
If the Lakers want to win a championship again, they need to trade for a third-option at the guard position. It is clear that the guard position is the weakest position on the Lakers despite James technically being the team’s point guard. The Lakers need reliable shooters at the shooting guard position as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Wesley Mathews do not fit that mould. With fixing the guard positing being the primary issue the Lakers need to tackle, here is a list of some shooting guards the Lakers could realistically trade or sign this off-season.
Zach LaVine- is on a one-year $19.5 million contract. FG- 50.7% 3P- 42%
Collin Sexton- is in the last year of his rookie contract. FG- 48% 3P- 37%
Malcolm Brogdon- is making roughly $22 million for the next two seasons. FG- 45%, 3P- 39%
Duncan Robinson- A 2020-21 free agent. FG- 38%, 3P- 37%
Norman Powell- A 2020-21 free agent. FG- 50%, 3P- 39%
The Lakers have little to no cap space to work with this off-season, which means they will most likely direct their attention to trades. Their most notable pieces that will be available for the Lakers include draft picks, Kyle Kuzma ($13 million contract), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($13.1 million contract), and Montrezl Harrell ($9.7 million contract) if he chooses to accept his player-option.
Most players mentioned above would take many assets from the Lakers to trade. Zach Lavine, a first-time All-Star this season, is most likely untouchable for the Bulls as they plan to re-sign him. The Lakers could sign Norman Powell if Montrezll Harrell declines his player option, but Powell would most likely need to take a pay-cut. Duncan Robinson, who underperformed this season compared to his last season, will also expect a decent contract due to his three-point shooting potential.
Malcolm Brogdon would be a perfect fit on the Lakers rotation as he is a playmaker and shooter. Unfortunately, the Lakers cannot afford this option unless they trade every remaining player on the roster, which could be possible. The best option for the Lakers to realistically pursue is Collin Sexton.
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they plan to be trading Sexton this off-season. Sexton is still on his rookie contract and would be easy to trade from a salary-sap perspective. However, Sexton is a very young and bright prospect that has value in this league. If the Lakers were to trade for Sexton, they would have to trade Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope and potentially two first-round picks. While that might appear to be a lot for Sexton, he did quietly average close to 25 points on solid efficiency as the primary option. Sexton is a scorer hence why he would be perfect for the Los Angeles Lakers.